July 17, 2008

Rob Green: 21 days that changed my life.: This summer West Ham's goalkeeper did without the traditional footballer's holiday and went instead to Africa to work with a charity that helps the truly disadvantaged – and uses football to get its message across. Here Rob Green describes an experience that was both shattering and ultimately uplifting.

Honest and direct, and very forthcoming on his limited life experiences and the resulting culture shock. I would be so happy to read about an American athlete doing something similar. The closest I can find is Gilbert Arenas' recent trip to Manila, but that was to promote his shoes. Green's on an entirely different level.

Great story. One of the issues with international aid is that the spotlight is often on disasters and human suffering, at the expense of stories that show how people have the strength and resilience to overcome hardship. I would be so happy to read about an American athlete doing something similar Didn't we have a story about Steve Nash and his wife funding a hospital in South America? Oh, wait - he's Canadian...

I would be so happy to read about an American athlete doing something similar Maybe not quite on the same level as Green, but NY Red Bull Seth Stammler set up the Sporting Chance Foundation after a trip to Haiti.